If you’ve lived in the Corridor for a while, there’s a good chance you’ve seen, or at least heard of, Beth Malicki. Either during her work as an anchor at KCRG-TV 9 or through her philanthropic and volunteer activities. But did you know that she’s also a mom to 3 teenagers? Read on to find out more about how Beth balances work and motherhood, and what she loves about calling the Corridor home!
Corridor Mom Spotlight: Beth Malicki
Tell us about yourself and your family.
Both my husband and I are from St. Louis, Missouri, and we’d never lived in Iowa before we came here for my job at KCRG-TV9. We have three children, all teenagers.
How long have you lived in the Corridor? What’s your favorite thing about living here?
We moved to the Corridor in March of 2005, the week our oldest turned four years old. Now he’s 18 and a freshman in college. My favorite thing about living here is how many options we have so near where we live. I’ve been in huge cities that are delightful and exciting, but I hated sitting in traffic. Living so close to where I work means I get to see my kids and husband over my dinner break (I work second shift). I’ve also met people who are now my closest friends in the world and cannot imagine being in a place without them.
What’s the biggest joy of motherhood for you?
Sending a child to college!
What’s the biggest challenge of motherhood for you?
Sending a child to college!
What is the most fulfilling part of your work and/or volunteer activities?
I’ve always loved reading, talking and writing so it’s a good thing I found a career that allows me to read voraciously, talk into a microphone for hours a day and write, write and re-write. But what I truly adore is humor. If I couldn’t laugh at work I’d quit. Jobs that require solemn reflection in solitude would choke my spirit and I would spend every available moment updating my LinkedIn profile.
How do you balance motherhood, work, and life?
My natural instinct is to work. When I was in middle school I started my own Baby-Sitters Club just like the series of books I was obsessed with in the 1980’s. In High School and most of college (and beyond) I worked at least two jobs. I was an adjunct professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia, better known as Mizzou, when I was also the evening anchor at KOMU. So I have to set limits on how much I work and this last year time tracked my hours so I would make sure I was not overdoing it. I’m very aware of my own unique quirks and tendencies and spend a lot of time reflecting on my motivations. I’m a work in progress!
When it comes to my kids I have a few baseline rules that have helped us stay connected during the teen years. When we’re in the car, phones are down. They have to engage with me, and we have some pretty deep discussions while staring at the windshield with the music low enough so we can hear each other. Teen relationships, schoolwork, political discussions, even questions about family dynamics and social issues come up naturally when I ask open ended questions. I’m a trained interviewer so I have an unfair advantage. We have quite a few meals together because my husband is an outstanding cook, and during them phones are out of sight and everyone talks. Often these discussions are intense and nothing is off limits. A final rule is that yelling is not allowed in our home. We are not always successful in maintaining this rule as we have three teenagers. But we are successful in enforcing people making amends.
What’s your must-have beauty product?
Eucerin. That thick white paste moisturizer keeps Iowa winters from turning me into a husk of a woman.
What’s 1 thing you never leave home without besides your purse/phone?
A book
What are 5 of your favorite Corridor places to eat/play/hang out?
Lightworks Cafe
El Bajio Mexican Restaurant
Cedar Rapids Public Library
Sac and Fox Trail
Theatre Cedar Rapids
*Thanks to Beth Malicki for sharing with us! Be sure to check her out on KCRG-TV 9 on weekday evenings! While you’re at it, see our other Corridor Mom Spotlights here!
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